I get the impression that none of the cast members, with perhaps the exception of Nancy Kulp, did not like Raymond Bailey (Mr. Drysdale). Was he really that difficult to work with?

It appears difficult to find much info on the web about him. Most movie/TV sites only give his acting credits. The few which say anythng at all about his being difficult just mention it in passing.


From http://www.geocities.com/hillbillygirl16/mrdysdalesbioforsite.html :
According to the cast, Bailey was not a happy man and was often difficult to get along with, complaining constantly.

I remember reading a long time ago that he had condition that sounded similaar to 'Tourette's Syndrome,' which caused him to suddenly fly up in a rage for no other reason at all.

Originally posted by tdr
I remember reading a long time ago that he had condition that sounded similaar to 'Tourette's Syndrome,' which caused him to suddenly fly up in a rage for no other reason at all.

That sounds like his Milburn Drysdale character.

Yeah, it sure does!!:o

according to Nancy Kulp in the 1988 book "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" by Steven Cox, he was hard to get along with at times, and he mostly kept to himself and didn't talk much with the others.

I had an opportunity to speak with Max Baer Jr by phone about 3 years ago & we talked about Raymond Bailey. Mr Baer, could not praise him enough & said he liked working with him.

Raymond Bailey was one of my favorites on the show.

I didn't know for years Ray wore a toupee. HIs wig looked quite real. I used to get a kick out of his tv wife, Harriet

her name was Margret. Unless you mean her real name, wich was Harriet MacGibbon

I found it interesting how his character evolved during the long run of BH. In the beginning he seemed kind of like a normal banker very eager to have the hillbillies $$ in his bank but not so crazed. By the end of the series, he was nuttier than the Hillbillies (except maybe Jethro). I enjoyed his performances immensely, but if the head of my bank acted like he did, I would be taking my money out pronto!

I find it ironic that Raymond Bailey passed away on April 15, 1980 (Income Tax Day). He was great as Mr. Drysdale, and his character really evolved over the 9 year run of the show! He did get kookier as the show went on, but funnier too!

YOur are correct Treky. Milburn's wife was named Margaret. Harriet was the actress' name.

YOur are correct Treky. Milburn's wife was named Margaret. Harriet was the actress' name.
I don't remeber who on the show passed away but Raymond didn't even show up for the funeral.

Yeah, the character became a caricature of what it had been.

Yeah, the character became a caricature of what it had been.
The characters all evolved like that, except Jed and Ellie Mae.

I read or heard somewhere that in the last few seasons of the series, Bailey was starting to suffer from the early stages of dementia, at least that was the observations of some cast and crew. Can anyone else confirm that?

I read the same thing about Raymond have Alzheimer's. It could explain some of his behavior. I also agree that I really enjoyed the character of Margaret. She was a perfect foil for Granny. I wish they had left her on the series.

I think Jed evolved as well, in the earlier episodes he was "rougher around the edges" and didn't get taken in by schemes so easily. The later Jed was very soft and gullable, IMO.

And yeah when I was little watching the show, I always wondered WHY Mr. Drysdale and Granny were ALWAYS yelling when they talked lol